Device for dyeing human hair



J. GlTLlN DEVICE FOR DYEING HUMAN HAIR Dec. 18, 1956 Filed May 17, 1954 2 Sheets-Sheet l ATTORNEYS D66. 18, 1956 J G|T| |N DEVICE FOR DYEING HUMAN HAIR Filed May 17, 1954' 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 10 lllllm I Q Na um R 0 T N E V m ATTORNEYS United States Patent G f DEVICE FOR DYEING HUMAN HAIR Jacob Gitlin, New York, N. Y.

Application May 17, 1954, Serial No. 430,158

17 Claims. (Cl. 132--9) My invention relates to appliances for dyeing, bleaching, or otherwise treating human or animal hair while avoiding contact with the scalp of the treating agent, or conversely relates to appliances for treating the scalp while avoiding contacting the hair with the treating agent.

According to the speed of absorption of liquid treating agents, including pastes, the hair may be roughly divided into three portionsthe root portion which extends outwardly from the scalp up to approximately one-half inch; the intermediate portion which extends outwardly therebeyond for approximately two inches; and finally the outer portion extending outwardly to the end of the hair.

The hair is covered on its outer surface by tiny overlapping scales, somewhat similar to fish scales, and the adjacent surfaces of these overlapping scales are sealed by a waxy substance. In the root portion of the hair it takes approximately 20 to 30 minutes for the liquid treating agent to penetrate through the scales into the central cross-sectional component of the hair, which central component readily absorbs the treating agent. In the middle portion of the hair the scales are partially opened and thus the penetration time decreases to somewhat less than 5 minutes; whereas, as the treatment progresses outwardly along the hair toward the outer portion, the scales have opened enough so that the penetration time is very brief and the hair is treated almost immediately.

Therefore, in order to uniformly treat the hair, it is the prior-art practice to accumulate a large quantity of treating agent on the roots and leave it there for about 20 .to 30 minutes; and then to spread it over the intermediate portions and then very lightly over the outer portions of the hair for only a few minutes before washing out all of the non-absorbed treating agent by repeated soaping and warm water rinses. After the hair treating process has been completed the scalp is then cleaned by means of decolorizers, but the treating agent has been in intimate contact with the scalp all the time the treating operation was in progress.

When the hair treating process involves the use of a dye, this dye may have a deleterious effect upon the health of the person to whom it is applied. Unfortunately, dye stuffs that provide the most natural shades and that are the most resistant to light, perspiration, saltwater, washings, etc. are also the most injurious to the health and, while in general they are tolerated when applied by a careful operator, there are certain persons who are allergic to the dyes, and cases have been knOWn in which blindness, or even death resulted from their use.

Therefore, the principal problems to be solved in the treating of the hair include holding the material in contact with the hair in the vicinity of the roots thereof while preventing rapid evaporation or drying out of the treat- 7 ing agent during the penetration period, and at the same time avoiding contacting the scalp with the treating agent.

The principal object of my invention is to provide a device capable of applying a treating agent to the hair, especially to the root portions thereof immediately adjaice cent the scalp, and to provide an applying device capable of maintaining the agent in contact with the hair for such period of time as may be required for said agent to penetrate to the central cross-sectional portion of the hair without permitting the said agent to dry out during such penetration.

Another primary object of my invention is to provide a device which will apply a treatment to the hair and at the same time protect the scalp from contact with said treating agent.

It is a more specific object of my invention to provide treating agent holding leaves which are made of an absorbent or adsorbent material, the edges of said leaves being treated with an unwettable substance such as paraffin or rubber which will remain dry and free of said liquid agent so as to avoid wetting the scalp therewith, and so as to confine the treating agent between the leaves.

Another very important object of my invention is to provide a device of the type specified which may be easily applied to the hair by combing the leaves, in mutually spaced relation, into the hair, and which device when once applied may then be clamped in the hair during said penetration period by compressing the leaves together.

Still more specifically it is an object of my invention to provide a frame for use in conjunction with said treating agent holding leaves which will support the leaves in mutually spaced relation while the device is being combed into the hair, and which frame may then be actuated to clamp said leaves together after they have been combed into the hair for the purpose of maintaining the leaves therein while at the same time bringing the impregnated leaves into intimate contact with the hair.

A further object of my invention is the provision of a device having treating agent holding leaves which are shaped to fit the scalp so that when the leaves are clamped together all of the hair passing therebetween will be treated all the way down substantially to the roots thereof.

Another important object of my invention is to provide a device wherein the leaves have their lower, scalp-contacting edges made of absorbent or adsorbent material, Whereby these edges may be impregnated with a scalp-treating agent so that when the leaves are placed in the supporting frame and combed into the hair, as related above, the impregnated edges will contact the scalp and treat it without unduly contaminating the hair. In this type of application, the frame and leaves, when in place on the scalp are not clamped together but are rubbed gently back and forth through small distances to distribute the treating agent on the scalp.

Still another object of my invention is to provide a device either for the rapid and uniform treating of hair or for the treating of the scalp, which device is quickly and easily handled by the operator, the leaves themselves being inexpensive to manufacture, so that they may be disposed of at the conclusion of the treating operation.

Other objects and advantages of my invention will become apparent during the following discussion of the drawings wherein:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of my hair treating device secured in place in the hair.

Fig. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the treating device showing a set of leaves in mutually spaced relation and separated from the frame.

Fig. 3 is a section view along the line 33 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a section view alongthe line 4-4 of Fig. '1.

Fig. 5 is a view corresponding to Fig. 4 but showing the leaf-clamping members of the frame raised out of engagement with the leaves so that the latter are mutually spaced.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged detail partial perspective view of two of the leaves showing the manner in which they are attached together and showing the edges .thereof coated with said unwettable material.

Fig. 7 is an enlarged partial View in perspective showing a cut through one of theleaves so as to show the Fig. 10 is a view similar to Fig. 8, but showing a modification for treating the scalp, the leaf being made of unwettable' material and the lower edge of the leaf having attached thereto'a strip of absorbent or adsorbent material. V V

:Referring 'now to the drawings, in Fig.1 is shown a portion of a head including a scalp S with hair H eXtend-- ing therefrom. Mounted in place on the scalp is a frame 1 havingside portions 1a joined together by a cross bar 1b and by a reinforcing cross member 1c. Each side portion it; carries a pivot pin 1d, on which pins are pivotally mounted oppositely-disposed clamps 2 for the purposehereinafter stated. The clamps 2 are maintained in mutually parallel relation by-a tie rod 2a connected therebetween. Near the lower portion of each clamp 2, as shown in Fig. 2, is an arcuate slot 2b for the purpose of providing clearance for the cross member 1c when the clamps areilowered about the pins 1d so as to lie parallel to the side portions 1a, as shown in Fig. 1. Each of the clamps 2 is beveled along its lower inner edge, as at 20, for the purpose hereinafter stated.

The treating agent holding leaves 3 are in each pack all the same in structure and include in Figs. 2 through 6 an absorbent portion 3a. Each leaf is joined'to the next adjacent leaf by an accordion pleated web 4 whichis made of unwettable material, and which is secured to each associatedleaf by any suitable means, such as Waterproof adhesive, all of the leaves when thus joined together forming a composite pack. The structure of each leaves within the frame 1. The book portions 3c should be moisture-proofed by any suitable impregnation so that they. will'not be softened by the treating agent which impregnates the absorbentportion 3a of the' leaf. In

, addition, the lower edge of each leaf is coated with an' unwettable substance 3d, the lower edge of the leaf being cut away along anarc 32, as shown'in Figs. 3 and- 6, so that the leaf will correspond substantially. to the shape of thescalp to which it is to be, applied. The 'unwettable substance Sdis preferably carried up the leaf as at 3 as shown in Figs. 2 and 3, and also up the leaf as at 3g, these coatings serving to confine thetreating agent within the space between adjacent lea'ves.

' The leaves according to the'modificatio'n; shown in Fig. 9 are'made of adsorbent material 3m and are coated only on the lateral sides as at 30 with a resilient water-1 proof substance. The coatings .30 also extend up the leaves in the manner explainedwith reference. to 3f, and

3g so that the leaves will mutually seal when clamped together and form tight reservoirs, between each pair of leaves'adapted to hold said treatinggagentwhen the leaves are clamped in place on the head. I a V In. the modification shown in Fig. 10, the leaves are made of adsorbentmaterial 3m, and thelower edge of each leaf may have secured thereto a strip 'ofabsorbent material 3p which strip may be impregnated with.a scalptreating agent as set forth in the pbjectsof this invention. If desired, thestrip 3 may be eliminated 'and'the lower adsorbentedge of the leafused as the scalp contacting.

hairs lie in substantially one definite direction. The ad-' sorbent portions 321 of the leaves are permitted to adsorb a quantity of the-treating agent and be thoroughly impregnated thereby, and thepackds then placed in the, position shown in Fig. 2 and is set in theframe 1 so that the hooks 3c overlie-the cross member 10 and so that the accordion-pleatedweb .4 overlies the cross bar. 1b.

When the leaves 3 have been thus placed in the frame 1,

the associated frarne and leaves are pushed into the hair by introducing the tips 3b'thereinto in the same direction in which the hair was previously combed so that the hair.

extends upwardly through the spaces between the leaves 3, as shown in Fig. 5. The frame isthen positioned-on the'scalp at the desired location and the triangularref taining bar 5 is passed through the brackets 1e and po'si tioned in the triangular grooves 1 as shown in Fig. 1.

By observing Fig. 3 it will be seen that the triangular retaining bar-5 presses against the edge 3) of each leaf, thereby holding the latter in position with respect to the frame 1. When the device is thus initially positioned,- the leaves 3 are still separated by a considerable distance because of the fact that the clamps 2 are still in a vertical position, as shown in Figs. 2 and 5: When the leaves and frame have been positioned as' desired with respectto the scalp 8, the clamps 2 are then lowered into the" position shown in Figs. 1, 3 and 4, the clamps 2 sliding in between the outermost leaves 3 and the side portions 1a of the frame 1 and the beveled edges 2c. camming the: leaves inwardly was to press them together and tightly confine the hair therebetween. In this position each leaf 3 touches the scalp only along the waterproofed edge 3d so that the. scalp is not wettedby the liquid during pene .tration thereof into the hair. In this position it will benoted in Figs. 3 and 4 that the lowerv waterproofed' por tions 3d of the leaves are in snug contact with the scalp and that the portion of the hair H which liesbetween. each of the leaves 3 will be in intimate contact withthe treating agent which impregnates'the portions 3a of the respective leaves. in Fig. 4, the thin coatings on the'lateral'sides -of the leaves mutually seal together to prevent any of the treat ing agent from running down'between the leavesand contaminating the scalp. The frame and leaves are permitted to remain in the position shown in Figs. 1, 3 and 4 for whatever period of time maybe required for'the treating agent to penetrate the hair scales and treat the cross-sectional central portions of the hair. e

When the leaves 3m-30 of Fig. 9' are used, the pack is'combed into the hair dry and is clamped before the treating agent is introduced between the leaves; A-l'ternatively, however, a treating-agent pastem'ay be smeared on the leaves before they are combed into the haiigfthe paste being sufliciently viscose so that itwill remain where smeared on the sides of the leaves 3m.-

When the leaves ofFig. 10 are used to treat the scalp; they are'placed in the frame 1, but are not clamped togethe'rp With this arrangme'nhthe strips 3b are impregnated with'scalp-treating agent, and the leaves when" combed into the hair are merely rubbed around on the scalpthrough short distances to transfer the' t're'ating agent from the strips 3p to'the scalpS; a

.In viewing the. various figures. of the'drawings it must 7 be. remembered that" the proportions of the leaves. are greatly distorted, especially in FlgSJl; 5, 6 and 7; andthat: the leaves are, in fact,.verymuch. thinner'thant' is illus+ T trated therein, so that when-the leavesiarecombedtinto the hair, :the hairwill not be bent overagainst the-scalp alongany appreciable length. 3 g

It should also be noted that, as shown* will each present only a very small surface to the atmosphere through which the treating agent may evaporate or oxidize, and therefore the evaporation or oxidization during a or minute penetration period will be negligible.

I do not limit my invention to the exact form shown in the drawings, for obviously changes may be made within the scope of the claims.

I claim:

1. A device for treating the hair with an agent While protecting the scalp from contact therewith, comprising a pack of parallel leaves of absorbent material loosely joined together, each leaf having a lower scalp-contacting edge treated with a waterproofing substance both on the edge and on the sides of the leaf immediately thereadjacent and said lower edges being recessed so that the pack will snugly fit'the contour of the scalp; a frame to support the pack; connecting means for supporting the leaves in the frame; and clamp means on the frame for compressing the leaves together to bring the hair into contact therewith.

2. In a device as set forth in claim 1, the leaves in the pack being mutually connected together by a waterproof accordion-pleated web.

3. In a device as set forth in claim 1, a cross-member across said frame, and said connecting means comprising a hook on each leaf, said hooks engaging said crossmember and maintaining the leaves in said frame.

4. In a device as set forth in claim 1, said clamp means comprising wedge members pivotally attached to said frame, said wedge members lying in planes parallel to said leaves and said Wedge members being lowerable into said frame to press said leaves together.

5. A device for treating hair with an agent while protecting the scalp from contact therewith, comprising a pack of parallel leaves of absorbent material, each leaf having a scalp-contacting edge treated with a waterproofing substance both on the edge and on the sides of the leaf immediately thereadjacent and said substance extending in a vertical path up the sides of the leaf at each end, and said edges being recessed so that the pack will snugly fit the contour of the scalp; a frame to support the pack; connecting means for supporting the leaves in the frame; and clamp means on the frame for compressing the leaves together to bring the hair into contact therewith.

6. In a device as set forth in claim 5, the leaves in the pack being mutually connected together by a Waterproof accordion-pleated web.

7. In a device as set forth in claim 5, a cross-member across said frame, and said connecting means comprising a hook on each leaf, said hooks engaging said crossmernber andmaintaining the leaves in said frame.

8. In a device as set forth in claim 5, said clamp means comprising wedge members associated with said frame,

said wedge members lying in planes parallel to said leaves 7 and said wedge members being lowerable into said frame to press said leaves together.

9. A device for treating hair with an agent while protecting the scalp from contact therewith, comprising a pack of parallel leaves, each leaf having a lower scalpcontacting edge recessed to fit the scalp contour and the side faces of each leaf around its periphery being treated with a waterproofiing substance, and each leaf having a s'tiifened diagonal tip; retaining means for loosely supporting the leaves while in mutually-spaced relation; and clamp means for pressing the leaves tightly together after the pack has been combed into the hair by introducing the stiffened tips first.

10. A device for treating the scalp with a treating agent while protecting the hair from contact therewith, comprising a plurality of parallel leaves of unwettable material arranged in a pack, each leaf having a lower scalp-contacting edge supporting an absorbent strip, and each leaf having a stiffened diagonal tip; and frame means for supporting the leaves while the pack is being combed into the hair by introducing the stiffened tips first.

11. A device for treating hair with a liquid While protecting the scalp from contact therewith, comprising a plurality of parallel leaves of absorbent material arranged in a pack, each leaf having a lower scalp-contacting edge treated with a waterproofing substance, and each leaf having a stifiened diagonal tip; and clamp means for pressing the leaves tightly together after the pack has been combed into the hair by introducing the stiffened tips first.

12. A device for treating hair with an agent while protecting the scalp from contact therewith, comprising a frame having parallel sides joined by a crossbar at their rear ends and by an intermediate cross-member at their upper edges, the frame being open at the front; a

pack of parallel leaves adapted to hold a quantity of said agent and joined together by an accordion-pleated web across their back edges and each havinga diagonally disposed front edge stiffened to form a comb-like tooth, the edges of each leaf being waterproofed and the lower scalp-contacting edge being recessed so that the pack will snugly fit the contour of the scalp; a connecting means on the upper edge of each leaf adapted to engage said cross-member, said web overlying said cross-bar when the leaves are in the frame; and clamp means carried by the sides of the frame for pressing said leaves together after they have been combed into the hair.

13. In a device as set forth in claim 12, said clamp means comprising wedge members pivotally attached to each side of said frame, said wedge members lying in planes parallel to saidleaves and said wedge members being lowerable into said frame to press said leaves together. V

14. In a device as set forth in claim 12, a retainer connectable across the front of the frame to hold the frontedges of the leaves in mutual alignment.

15. A device for treating hair growing from a scalp with an agent, comprising a frame having parallel sides joined by a cross bar at their rear ends and by an intermediate cross-member at theirupper edges, the frame being open at the front; a plurality of leaves each having a diagonally disposed front edge stiffened to form a comb-like tooth; a connecting means on the upper edge of each leaf adapted to engage said cross-member when the leaves are in the frame; and clamp means carried by the sides of the frame for pressing said leaves together after they have been combed into the hair.

16. In a device as set forth in claim 15, said clamp means comprising wedge members pivotally attached to each side of said frame; said wedge members lying in planes parallel to said leaves and said wedge members being lowerable into said frame to press said leaves together. V

17. In a device as set forth in claim 15, a retainer ,connectable across the front of the frame to hold the.

front-edges of the leaves in mutual alignment.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Germany July 2t 1938 

